Question to network gurus...

[Z24]

Hi,

Okay, first I guess I have to explain the current setup, then I'll explain what I want to do. My question then becomes "is it possible, and how do you do it?"

Current setup: small LAN (~10 computers) running off an NT4 server. 100Mbps all around. Hub, no switch. There is a lot of traffic between one of the workstations (running NT4 Workstation) and the server.

Questions:

Would it be possible to put a second NIC in the server, and direct connect this workstation to that? Does this effectively remove this workstation from the network?(i.e., would other computers be able to "see" it anymore now that it is not connected to the hub?) If so, can you leave it connected to the hub aswell (with an additional NIC) and have it communicate with the server via the dedicated card, and the rest of the network via the 'other' card?

If this is possible, how complicated is it to setup? Directions anywhere?

advaTHANKSnce

 

[Norssak]

All NT boxes can route TCP/IP, so to isolate the traffic between those two computers put them in a seperate subnet.

EXAMPLE:
Server has 2 nics, eth1 and eth2
eth1 gets IP 10.0.0.1 Subnetmask 255.255.255.0 and is connected to the hub
eth2 gets IP 10.0.1.1 Subnetmask 255.255.255.0 And is connected via crossover cable to the Special workstation

Special workstation gets IP 10.0.1.2 Subnetmask 255.255.255.0 gateway 10.0.1.1

All other workstations get IP 10.0.0.2-10.0.0.254 Subnetmask 255.255.255.0 gateway 10.0.0.1 and connect to the hub

Then to enable the Special workstation to see the rest of the network, on the Server hit Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Network -> Protocols -> TCP/IP Properties -> Routing -> check IP Forwarding.

 

[Z24]

Norrsak,

Great! That is exactly what I want to do.

Now, just to clarify for my own information: the purpose of the gateway settings.

Right now, this LAN has no shared internet access. I do not believe that the workstations have a gateway set. I'm assuming this does not matter (in the current configuration).

Is the reason for setting the gateways as you mentioned to enable the computers on the different subnets to see each other? (in combination with the IP Forwarding) If not, what is the purpose of this setting?


edit: A question to clarify: The current setup uses 10.1.136.x for the IP addresses. I'm assuming I could use 10.1.yyy.1 for eth2 (where yyy is not 136). True?

 

[ktwebb]

Besides checking the enable IP forwarding box, dont forget to install RIP in your protocols section or the IP forwarding will be useless.

 

[Norssak]

I really can't remember if RIP is needed or not when the router stands alone, install it anyway, can't hurt that much.

10.1.yyy.1 will work with the 255.255.255.0 subnet mask.

The gateway value is to enable a request to move beyond the local subnet, the NEXT STEP so to speak.

If you then decide to add shared internet service to this layout: I'd say if you still want to stick with scheme add a third nic in the server, subnetted with the internet-router. But I haven't slept in 24hours, so if someone can come up with a way for him to configure it without adding a third local subnet, jump in.

 

[nasty]

You don't need RIP. RIP is Router Information Protocol. It is you to parse information to one router to another, so they know wich machines are on wich subnet (it automaticly builds routing tables).

You have only got one router, so you don't need RIP.

 

[SlickVic]

Yep